PVNC Guidelines

We are pleased to present The PVNC Catholic District School
Board's Transportation guidelines.

Eligibility Distances for Transportation

(a) Subject to the transportation eligibility distance
criteria set out under this Policy, parent(s)/guardian(s) is/are
responsible for:
(i) the safe conveyance of their children
to and from school where the children are ineligible for
transportation;
(ii) the safe conveyance of their children to
bus stop locations prior to pick-up and following drop-off; and
(iii) the safe conduct of their children prior to pick-up and
following drop-off at bus stop locations.

(b) Students will be provided transportation if their primary residence is
more than the eligibility distance by direct route noted below,
by publicly maintained road and/or walkway, from school:

Grades JK-3 1.0 km.
Grades 4-8 1.6 km.
Grades 9-12 3.2 km.

The parent(s) or guardian(s) is/are responsible for the
safe conveyance of their children to and from school.
Students eligible for transportation according to the
eligibility distances noted above will be assigned to a bus stop
location according to the following distance guidelines:

Grades JK-3 1.0 km.
Grades 4-8 1.0 km.
Grades 9-12 1.6 km.

The parent(s) or guardian(s) is/are responsible for
their children prior to pick-up and following drop-off.
Where students from partner boards share the same buses at the
same time, eligibility distance from home to school will align
with the lesser of the partner board's distances.

Length of Time on Buses

Except in special circumstances and where
feasible, every reasonable effort will be made to limit the time
on a bus to one (1) hour for elementary and one and a half (1.5) hours for secondary.

Where feasible, buses operating on
a single route basis should be time tabled to arrive not earlier
than fifteen (15) minutes prior to the beginning of morning
classes.

Safety Issues

Transportation may be provided
within the defined walking distance as defined in Section 1. 1
of the Board policy, if a request is made in writing for special
provisions for reasons of safety. The matter will be referred to
the transportation department who may consult with various
agencies (local police force, Ontario Provincial Police,
municipal officials. etc).

Safety appeals will be resolved by
the board that provides the students' educational programs.
Administration will discuss the issue with the board that holds
the transportation contract.

Out of Boundary Students

Each school shall have a defined attendance area and
transportation for out of boundary students is the
responsibility of parent/guardians.

Consistent Pickup / Dropoff Location

Within existing routes, where feasible,
consistent student pickup/dropoff transportation service shall
be defined as one (1) fixed location, five (5) days per week for
the school year on one bus route. However, the location for pickup, five (5) days
per week, may be different from the location for dropoff, five
(5) days per week on the same bus route. All exceptions must be submitted in writing
and approved by the principal.

Inclement Weather

The decision as to whether or not school should be dismissed
early for safety reasons will be a judgement made by the
Principal in consultation with the Superintendent and other
Principals and/or other Boards, and will take into consideration
weather conditions as reported by the media, the Ontario
Provincial Police, Ministry of Transportation and/or
Township/County Road Superintendents, as well as information
from Bus Operators. The Principal shall make alternate
arrangements where parent/guardian/designate is not available to
receive the students.

With inclement weather (e.g. ice, snow conditions) the
following radio stations generally will be notified for
broadcast: